U.S. patent application number 15/706921 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-22 for co-rotating scroll compressor having back pressure structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Yoonsung CHOI, Jinho KIM, Byeongchul LEE, Byung-Kil YOO.
Application Number | 20180080446 15/706921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61617912 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180080446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOI; Yoonsung ; et
al. |
March 22, 2018 |
CO-ROTATING SCROLL COMPRESSOR HAVING BACK PRESSURE STRUCTURE
Abstract
A co-rotating scroll compressor is provided in which pressure
differences between inner and outer portions of a suction chamber
are maintained, back pressures are applied to rear surfaces of end
plates of a drive scroll and a driven scroll in directions in which
the two scrolls are moved toward each other to prevent compression
leakage of a fluid, and a lubricant oil is easily supplied to the
two scrolls using the back pressures. The co-rotating scroll
compressor may include pressure seals between the rear surfaces of
the end plates of the drive scroll and the driven scroll and an
inner wall of the suction chamber such that the two scrolls are
pressed in directions to be moved toward each other by the back
pressures, and the oil is supplied to rotary supports and close
contact portions of the two scrolls using the back pressures.
Inventors: |
CHOI; Yoonsung; (Seoul,
KR) ; YOO; Byung-Kil; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM;
Jinho; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Byeongchul; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
61617912 |
Appl. No.: |
15/706921 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 2240/603 20130101;
F04C 29/023 20130101; F04C 29/02 20130101; F04C 18/0246 20130101;
F04C 27/008 20130101; F04C 2240/56 20130101; F04C 18/023 20130101;
F04C 23/008 20130101; F04C 29/028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04C 18/02 20060101
F04C018/02; F04C 23/00 20060101 F04C023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 20, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0119942 |
Claims
1. A co-rotating scroll compressor, comprising: a frame including a
suction chamber provided with a suction port; a first scroll and a
second scroll having wraps disposed to face each other in the
suction chamber and rotary shafts which are eccentric relative to
each other, wherein the first scroll and the second scroll rotate
relative to each other in a same direction, compress a fluid
suctioned into the suction chamber, and discharge the compressed
fluid to an outside of the suction chamber; a first compression
seal formed between a rear surface of an end plate of the first
scroll and an inner wall of the suction chamber; and a second
pressure seal formed between a rear surface of an end plate of the
second scroll and the inner wall of the suction chamber, wherein a
pressure of the fluid discharged by the first scroll and the second
scroll does not leak to a pressure of the fluid in the suction
chamber due to the pressure seals, and wherein the discharge
pressure is applied to the end plates to press the first scroll and
the second scroll in directions in which the first scroll and the
second scroll are moved toward each other.
2. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein a first
shaft hole configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of the first
scroll is formed in a portion of the frame facing a center of the
rear surface of the end plate of the first scroll, and a space at
the rear surface of the end plate of the first scroll to which the
discharge pressure is applied communicates with the first shaft
hole.
3. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 2, wherein a second
shaft hole configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of the second
scroll is formed in a portion of the frame facing a center of the
rear surface of the end plate of the second scroll, and a space at
the rear surface of the end plate of the second scroll to which the
discharge pressure is applied communicates with the second shaft
hole.
4. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein an oil
storage chamber is formed at a lower end of the frame, the
discharge pressure is applied to a surface of oil stored in the oil
storage chamber, and a front end of an injection path, through
which the oil pressed by the discharge pressure is injected, is in
the oil in the oil storage chamber.
5. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 4, wherein the second
scroll includes a driven scroll, and the second scroll is disposed
to be closer to the lower end of the frame than the first
scroll.
6. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 5, wherein a
discharge port is formed in a center of the end plate of the first
scroll, and the discharge port communicates with a hollow portion
formed in a longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft of the first
scroll.
7. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 4, further comprising
a flow path configured to communicate with an inner circumferential
surface of a first shaft hole configured to accommodate the rotary
shaft of the first scroll to supply oil stored in the oil storage
chamber to the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft
hole.
8. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 7, wherein: an
annular groove configured to accommodate oil flowing downward along
the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft hole is formed
in the rear surface of the end plate of the first scroll located
under the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft hole; an
end plate path configured to communicate with an inlet hole formed
in a bottom surface of the annular groove is formed in the end
plate; and an outlet hole configured to communicate with the end
plate path in a direction of a front surface of the end plate
facing the second scroll is formed at a predetermined position of a
bottom surface of the end plate path.
9. A co-rotating scroll compressor, comprising: a frame including a
suction chamber provided with a suction port; and a first scroll
and a second scroll including wraps disposed to face each other in
the suction chamber and rotary shafts which are eccentric relative
to each other, wherein the first scroll and the second scroll
rotate relative to each other in a same direction, compress a fluid
suctioned into the suction chamber, and discharge the compressed
fluid to an outside of the suction chamber, wherein: an oil storage
chamber is formed at a lower end of the frame; a discharge pressure
is applied to a surface of oil stored in the oil storage chamber;
and a front end of an injection path is in the oil in the oil
storage chamber such that the oil pressed by the discharge pressure
is injected into a flow path formed in the frame.
10. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 9, wherein the
injection path includes an injection pipe, and the injection pipe
is connected to the frame to communicate with a front end of the
flow path formed in the frame.
11. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 9, wherein the
second scroll is disposed to be closer to a lower end of the frame
than the first scroll, and the flow path includes a first flow path
configured to communicate with an inner circumferential surface of
a first shaft hole of the frame configured to accommodate the
rotary shaft of the first scroll.
12. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 11, wherein the flow
path includes a second flow path through which the inner
circumferential surface of the first shaft hole and an inner
circumferential surface of a second shaft hole of the frame
configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of the second scroll
communicate with each other.
13. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 12, wherein the
second flow path and the first flow path communicate with each
other through a groove-shaped third flow path formed in the inner
circumferential surface of the second shaft hole.
14. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 12, wherein the
first flow path includes: a first horizontal path formed in a
portion located under the suction chamber in the frame and having a
first end that communicates with the inner circumferential surface
of the second shaft hole; a second horizontal path formed in a
portion located above the suction chamber in the frame and having a
first end that communicates with the inner circumferential surface
of the first shaft hole; and a vertical path which is formed in a
portion located next to the suction chamber in the frame, and by
which a second end of the first horizontal path and a second end of
the second horizontal path communicate with each other.
15. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 9, wherein the
second scroll is disposed to be closer to the lower end of the
frame than the first scroll, and the flow path includes a first
flow path configured to communicate with an inner circumferential
surface of a first shaft hole configured to accommodate the rotary
shaft of the first scroll.
16. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 15, wherein: an
annular groove configured to accommodate oil flowing downward along
the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft hole is formed
in a rear surface of an end plate of the first scroll located under
the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft hole; an end
plate path configured to communicate with an inlet hole formed in a
bottom surface of the annular groove is formed in the end plate;
and an outlet hole configured to communicate with the end plate
path in a direction of a front surface of the end plate facing the
second scroll is formed at a predetermined position of a bottom
surface of the end plate path.
17. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 16, wherein the end
plate path is formed in a direction deviated from a center of the
end plate.
18. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 16, wherein a
decompression pin is inserted into the end plate path to decrease a
pressure of the oil.
19. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 15, wherein a drive
rotary shaft configured to transmit a rotational force to the first
scroll is disposed above the first scroll.
20. The co-rotating scroll compressor of claim 19, wherein a
discharge port is formed in a center of an end plate of the first
scroll, and the discharge port communicates with a hollow portion
formed in a longitudinal direction of the drive rotary shaft of the
first scroll.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0119942, filed in Korea on
Sep. 20, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] A co-rotating scroll compressor having a back pressure
structure is disclosed herein.
2. Background
[0003] A scroll compressor is a compressor in which a fluid
introduced therein is compressed toward a center of two scrolls
which orbit relative to each other due to shapes of wraps of the
two scrolls and discharged from the center of the scrolls in a
compressed state. Each of the scrolls has a structure in which the
wrap is formed in an end plate, and the scroll compressor is formed
such that portions at which the wraps of the two scrolls are formed
face each other, the wraps overlap, and side surfaces of the wraps
are in contact with each other so as to provide a compression
space.
[0004] The scroll compressor uses a pair of scrolls according to a
principle of compression. One conventional compressor is an
orbiting scroll compressor, in which one scroll is fixed and the
other scroll does not rotate, but rather, orbits to compress a
fluid. The orbiting scroll compressor has to operate such that the
orbiting scroll orbits but does not rotate about the fixed scroll,
and as a center of gravity of the orbiting scroll has to be
eccentric from a center of orbiting in principle, there is a
problem in that vibration increases due to a centrifugal force
proportional to a square of a speed as a rotational speed
increases. However, in a co-rotating scroll compressor, as a drive
scroll and a driven scroll rotate in a same direction and rotary
shafts only rotate about deviated rotational centers and do not
orbit, there are no centrifugal problems due to the eccentric
centers which may occur in the orbiting scroll compressor in
principle.
[0005] When the wraps of two scrolls face and orbit relative to
each other to compress a fluid, front end portions of the wraps of
the two scrolls and front surfaces of the end plates facing the
front end portions should be pressed against each other. When the
front end portions of the wraps and the facing end plates of the
scrolls are not pressed against each other, there is a problem in
that a pressure of a compressed fluid leaks, and thus, compression
efficiency decreases.
[0006] In the orbiting scroll compressor, as only the orbiting
scroll rotates, in a state in which the fixed scroll does not
rotate and is fixed to a frame of the compressor, when a pressure
which pushes the orbiting scroll toward the fixed scroll is applied
to the orbiting scroll, a front end portion of the wrap of the
orbiting scroll is pressed against the end plated of the fixed
scroll and the end plate of the orbiting scroll is also pressed
against the front end portion of the wrap of the fixed scroll.
However, in the co-rotating scroll compressor, as both the drive
scroll and the driven scroll rotate, it is not easy to form a
structure in which the two scrolls are pushed toward each other to
be moved toward each other. A structure in which an extension
portion is formed on the drive scroll, the extension portion of the
drive scroll surrounds a rear surface of the driven scroll, and the
driven scroll is supported by the extension portion and pushed
toward the drive scroll is conventionally used. However, in such a
conventional structure of a co-rotating scroll compressor, a
structure of the drive scroll is complex, the extension portion of
the drive scroll occupies a portion of a space of a suction
chamber, and thus, there is a problem in that suction efficiency of
the suction chamber decreases.
[0007] As described above, in the scroll compressor, as the two
scrolls should orbit relative to each other in a state in which the
surfaces of the end plates are pressed against the front end
portions of the wraps and side surfaces of the wraps of two scrolls
are pressed against each other, it is necessary to lubricate rotary
support structures of the two scrolls and between the two scrolls.
In the orbiting scroll compressor, as the fixed scroll does not
rotate and only the orbiting scroll orbits, it is adequate for oil
to be supplied to an eccentric shaft of the orbiting scroll
configured to eccentrically orbit and to support portions of a
drive rotary shaft for orbiting the orbiting scroll, and between
the scrolls. More particularly, as the fixed scroll is fixed to the
frame, it is not very difficult to lubricate a close contact
portion between the two scrolls when the fixed scroll is located
above the orbiting scroll and the oil is supplied toward the fixed
scroll through a flow path of the frame.
[0008] However, in the co-rotating scroll compressor, as both the
drive scroll and the driven scroll rotate, oil should be supplied
to all portions configured to support the rotary shafts of the two
scrolls. In addition, as both of the two scrolls rotate relative to
the frame of the compressor, it is difficult to form a structure
configured to supply the oil between the two scrolls, and thus,
there is a problem in that the structure becomes complex.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a co-rotating
scroll compressor according to an embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an oil supply
structure of the co-rotating scroll compressor according to an
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a plan perspective view illustrating a drive
scroll for describing the oil supply structure according to an
embodiment; and
[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic cross-sectional views of
co-rotating scroll compressors having different flow paths
according to other embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, like or similar
reference numerals have been used to indicate like or similar
elements, and repetitive disclosure has been omitted. Embodiments
are not limited to the embodiments described below and may be made
in various different forms, the embodiments are provided such that
embodiments are completely disclosed, and a scope is completely
understood by those skilled in the art.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a co-rotating
scroll compressor according to an embodiment. A co-rotating scroll
compressor 1 according to an embodiment may include a frame 10
forming an overall exterior thereof, configured to accommodate
drive sources 41, 42, and 50 and co-rotating scrolls 60 and 70
thereinside, and configured to divide inner and outer spaces of the
compressor. The frame 10 may be assembled through a method, for
example, in which a plurality of components is separately
manufactured and directly or indirectly fixed to each other for the
sake of convenience in manufacture and assembly.
[0016] A suction chamber 20 is formed in a predetermined region of
the frame 10, and a suction port 21, which is a path through which
a fluid may be introduced, may be installed in the suction chamber
20 to communicate with an inner space of the suction chamber. The
first scroll 60 and the second scroll 70 configured to rotate about
corresponding rotary shafts thereof may be provided in the suction
chamber 20. A first scroll 60, which may be located in or at an
upper portion of the suction chamber 20, may be a drive scroll
configured to receive a rotational force from a drive source, and a
second scroll 70, which may be located in a lower portion of the
suction chamber 20, may be a driven scroll configured to receive
the rotational force from the first scroll 60 to rotate relative to
the first scroll 60.
[0017] The first scroll 60 may include an end plate 61 in a
substantially circular plate shape, and a wrap 62 in a spiral shape
that protrudes from a (lower) surface of the end plate 61, that is,
from a surface facing the second scroll 70, toward the second
scroll 70. A boss 63 may protrude from a center of a (an upper)
surface of the end plate 61, that is, from a surface opposite to
the surface facing the second scroll 70. The boss 63 may be formed
in a substantially cylindrical shape, be accommodated in a first
shaft hole 16 formed in the frame 10 and located above the suction
chamber 20, and be rotatably supported by a first bearing 86.
[0018] The second scroll 70 may include an end plate 71 in a
substantially circular plate shape, and a wrap 72 in a spiral shape
that protrudes from a (an upper) surface of the end plate 71, that
is, from a surface facing the first scroll 60, toward the first
scroll 60. A boss 73 may protrude from a center of a (lower)
surface of the end plate 71, that is, from a surface opposite to
the surface facing the first scroll 60. The boss 73 may be formed
in a substantially cylindrical shape, be accommodated in a second
shaft hole 17 formed in frame 10 and located under the suction
chamber 20, and be rotatably supported by a second bearing 87.
[0019] A central rotational shaft of the first scroll 60 may be
aligned with a geometrical axis of the boss 63, and a central
rotational shaft of the second scroll 70 may be aligned with a
geometrical axis of the boss 73. That is, the first scroll 60 and
the second scroll 70 may respectively rotate about centers of the
end plates 61 and 71 without eccentricity, and such rotations may
be supported by the bosses 63 and 73 and the bearings 86 and 87.
However, as the boss 63, the first shaft hole 16, and the first
bearing 86 are deviated from and parallel to the boss 73, the
second shaft hole 17, and the second bearing 87, when the two
scrolls 60, 70 rotate in a same direction, the wraps 62, 72 of the
two scrolls 60, 70 orbit relative to each other.
[0020] As described above, in the co-rotating scroll compressor,
although the rotary shafts of the two scrolls are positioned to be
deviated from each other, the rotary shafts of the scrolls are
located at geometrical centers of shapes of the corresponding end
plates of the scrolls from a viewpoint of each of the scrolls.
Accordingly, as each of the scrolls does not have eccentricity
relative to the rotary shaft, a centrifugal force or vibrations
large enough to cause a problem during operation of the compressor
are not generated even when the scrolls rotate at a high speed.
[0021] In this embodiment, the bosses 63 and 73 are rotatably
supported by the bearing, but another structure, for example, a
bushing, may also be applied to the co-rotating scroll compressor.
That is, a mechanical component configured to reduce friction loss
may be applied between the shaft holes of the frame and the rotary
shafts (bosses) of the scrolls.
[0022] The drive sources may be located above the suction chamber
20. As illustrated in the drawing, a rotor 42 may be installed at
an outer circumferential portion of a drive rotary shaft 50, and
the rotor 42 may be surrounded by a stator 41 in an annular shape
which has a same center as the rotor 42 and is spaced apart from
the rotor 42. In addition, a rotational force transmitting portion
53 may be formed at a first end portion or end 51, which is a lower
end portion or end, of the drive rotary shaft 50 and be coupled to
a rotational force transmitted portion 65 formed at a front end
portion or end of the boss 63 of the first scroll 60, which is the
drive scroll, to transmit the rotational force. That is, the drive
rotary shaft 50 and the boss 63 of the drive scroll may be coupled
to restrict each other in a rotational direction but not to
restrict each other in a direction of the shafts thereof.
[0023] The rotational force transmitting portion 53 and the
rotational force transmitted portion 65 has a structure in which a
rotational force whose center of rotation is a central shaft of the
drive rotary shaft 50 is transmitted while an upsetting moment
applied to the first scroll 60 due to a compression repulsive
force, for example, of a fluid is not transmitted. Accordingly, the
drive rotary shaft 50 may be smoothly rotated by the stator 41 and
the rotor 42 without being influenced by the upsetting moment
applied to the first scroll 60.
[0024] A rotational force of the first scroll may be transmitted to
the second scroll by an Oldham ring or another rotation prevention
power transmission structure. That is, the rotation prevention
power transmission structure is a mechanical structure in which the
first scroll and the second scroll rotate in the same direction at
a same speed to prevent the second scroll from rotating relative to
the first scroll while the rotational force of the first scroll is
transmitted to the second scroll.
[0025] According to a theoretical working principle of the
co-rotating scroll compressor, when the wraps 62 and 72 of the
first scroll 60 and the second scroll 70 rotate while facing and
being in contact with each other, the rotational force of the first
scroll 60 is transmitted to the second scroll 70 through the wraps
62, 72. However, as the rotational force tends not to be easily
transmitted due to a compression repulsive force, for example,
generated by a fluid in compression chambers formed by the two
wraps 62, 72, the above described Oldham ring or other rotation
prevention power transmission structure may be applied to the
co-rotating scroll compressor.
[0026] As described above, the central axes of the two bosses 63
and 73 are parallel but are slightly deviated from each other.
Accordingly, when the drive rotary shaft 50 transmits a rotational
force to the first scroll 60 while rotating, the first scroll 60
transmits the rotational force to the second scroll 70 though the
Oldham ring or the other rotation prevention power transmission
structure.
[0027] The first scroll 60 and the second scroll 70 rotate in the
same direction, and a portion at which the wraps 62 and 72 of the
first scroll 60 and the second scroll 70 are in contact with each
other decrease areas of compression chambers configured to confine
and compress a fluid and move toward the center of the scrolls
according to the rotation of the two scrolls. In addition, the
compressed fluid is discharged to an outside of the suction chamber
20 through a discharge port 64 formed at a center of the end plate
61. That is, the fluid introduced through the suction port 21 is
confined by the compression chamber formed by the wraps of the two
scrolls 60 and 70, is compressed while moving toward the center of
the two scrolls, and is discharged through the discharge port
64.
[0028] The discharge port 64 may extend to the boss 63 of the first
scroll 60 and communicate with a hollow portion 55 of the drive
rotary shaft 50. In addition, an upper end portion or end of the
drive rotary shaft 50 may communicate with a discharge chamber 30
formed at an upper portion of the compressor. Accordingly, the
compressed fluid discharged through the discharge port 64 by a
predetermined back pressure may be moved upward through the hollow
portion 55, discharged to the discharge chamber 30 formed at the
upper portion of the compressor 1, and discharged to an outside of
the compressor through a discharge port 31 through which the
discharge chamber 30 communicates with the outside.
[0029] As the discharge chamber 30 is not completely sealed in the
compressor and the first end of the drive rotary shaft 50 and the
front end of the boss 63 are not also completely sealed, a back
pressure of the fluid discharged to the discharge chamber may also
be applied to other spaces in the compressor other than the suction
chamber 20. In consideration of this, pressure seals 81 and 82
configured to prevent movement of the fluid due to a pressure
difference between the suction chamber 20 and the outside of the
suction chamber 20 and to maintain the pressure difference between
an inside of the suction chamber 20 and an outside of the suction
chamber 20 may be provided between the end plate 61 of the first
scroll 60 and an inner wall surface of the suction chamber 20
facing the end plate 61. In addition, a thrust bearing 88
configured to support the first scroll 60 against a force applied
in a direction of a rotational axis when the first scroll 60
rotates may be formed between a rear surface of the end plate 61 of
the first scroll 60 and the inner wall surface of the suction
chamber 20.
[0030] As described above, a back pressure of a compressed fluid
discharged through the discharge port 64 may also be applied to
other spaces in the compressor other than the suction chamber 20.
In this embodiment, a structure in which the first scroll 60 and
the second scroll 70 are pressed against each other by the back
pressure being used may be formed.
[0031] First, in this embodiment, the first pressure seal 81 may be
installed between a rear surface of the end plate 61 of the first
scroll 60 and an inner wall of the suction chamber 20. A pressure
difference exists between inner and outer portions of the suction
chamber 20 due to the first pressure seal 81. The back pressure may
be applied to a center of the rear surface of the end plate 61 of
the first scroll 60 through the first shaft hole 16, which may be
located on or at a side of the frame 10 facing the center of the
rear surface of the end plate 61 of the first scroll 60 and
accommodate the boss 63. Accordingly, a force corresponding to a
product of the pressure difference between the inner and outer
portions of the suction chamber 20 and an area defined by the first
pressure seal 81 formed on the rear surface of the end plate 61 of
the first scroll 60 pushes the first scroll 60 toward the second
scroll 70.
[0032] Similarly, in this embodiment, the second pressure seal 82
may be installed between a rear surface of the end plate 71 of the
second scroll 70 and the inner wall of the suction chamber 20. A
pressure difference exists between the inner and outer portions of
the suction chamber 20 due to the second pressure seal 82. The back
pressure may be applied to the rear surface of the end plate 71 of
the second scroll 70 through the second shaft hole 17, which may be
located on or at a side of the frame 10 facing a center of the rear
surface of the end plate 71 of the second scroll 70 and accommodate
the boss 73. Accordingly, a force corresponding to a product of the
pressure difference between the inner and outer portions of the
suction chamber 20 and an area defined by the second pressure seal
82 formed on the rear surface of the end plate 71 of the second
scroll 70 pushes the second scroll 70 toward the first scroll
60.
[0033] As the two scrolls are pushed in directions to be moved
toward each other by the back pressures which press the two wraps
62, 72 against each other, the surface of the end plate 61 of the
first scroll 60 and the front end of the wrap 72 of the second
scroll 70 may be firmly pressed against each other and the surface
of the end plate 71 of the second scroll 70 and the front end of
the wrap 62 of the first scroll 60 may be firmly pressed against
each other, and thus, leakage of a fluid compressed by the wraps
62, 72 may be prevented.
[0034] According to this embodiment, as the pressure seals 81, 82
are installed between rear surfaces of the two scrolls 60, 70 and
the inner surfaces of the suction chamber 20, the pressure
difference between the inner and outer portions of the suction
chamber 20 may be maintained. In addition, as the rear surfaces of
the end plates 61, 71 of the two scrolls 60, 70 defined by the
pressure seals 81, 82 are exposed to the back pressures, a
compressing force between the two scrolls 60, 70 may be simply and
reliably secured.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an oil supply
structure of the co-rotating scroll compressor according to an
embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan perspective view illustrating a drive
scroll for describing the oil supply structure according to an
embodiment.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an oil storage chamber 90 may be
formed at a lower portion of an inner space of the compressor 1.
When the oil storage chamber 90 is disposed under components inside
of the compressor 1 which need to be lubricated as described above,
it is advantageous for collecting oil O which lubricates the inner
components and flows downward due to gravity. In other words, this
does not necessarily mean that a position of the oil storage
chamber 90 disposed in the compressor 1 is a lower end portion of
the compressor, but rather, may mean that the position of the oil
storage chamber 90 disposed in the compressor 1 is at least under
the components to which the oil should be supplied for
lubrication.
[0037] The first scroll 60 and the second scroll 70, which need to
be supplied with the oil, may be disposed above the oil storage
chamber 90. The second scroll 70, which is the driven scroll of the
two scrolls 60, 70, may be disposed under the first scroll 60 in
the compressor 1. The oil storage chamber 90 may be disposed under
the driven scroll adjacent thereto. When the oil storage chamber 90
is disposed under the second scroll 70 as described above, as a
clearance formed next to the boss 73 of the second scroll 70 may be
used as a space for storing the oil, the compressor may be more
compact.
[0038] The drive rotary shaft 50 for the first scroll 60, which is
the drive scroll, may be disposed at a side of the boss 63. When
the first scroll 60 is disposed under the second scroll 70, as an
oil supply path in the co-rotating scroll compressor in which the
oil should be supplied to both the first scroll 60 and the second
scroll 70 should pass through a drive portion, the oil supply path
must be longer. However, as illustrated in the drawings, when the
second scroll 70 is disposed under the first scroll 60, the oil
supply path may be correspondingly short.
[0039] In addition, in the structure in which the first scroll 60
is located above the second scroll 70, when a discharge path of a
fluid compressed by the scroll is disposed above the first scroll
60 as described above, as a chance of the fluid meeting a lubricant
oil correspondingly decreases, an amount or ratio of oil mixed to
compressed fluid may further decrease. In addition, as a lubricant
supply path of the oil and the discharge path of the compressed
fluid do not overlap, a flow path of the oil and the discharge path
of the compressed fluid may be correspondingly more simply
designed.
[0040] As described above, a back pressure of a compressed fluid
discharged through the discharge port 64 may also be applied to the
other spaces in the compressor other than the suction chamber 20.
That is, in this embodiment, a structure configured to press the
first scroll 60 and the second scroll 70 against each other using
such a back pressure may be formed, and the oil also easily
supplied to places which require lubrication using the back
pressure.
[0041] According to this embodiment, flow paths 11, 12, and 13 for
supplying the oil to places which require the oil are formed in the
frame 10. An insertion groove of an injection pipe 91 in
communication with the flow paths may be formed at a lower end
portion or end of the frame 10, which is a lower surface thereof
facing the oil storage chamber 90. In addition, an upper end
portion or end of the injection pipe 91 may be inserted into the
insertion groove.
[0042] The lower end of the injection pipe 91 may be submerged in
the oil stored in the oil storage chamber 90. As the lower end of
the injection pipe 91 is in the oil, the oil may be injected
through a front end portion or end of an injection path 19 formed
in a longitudinal direction of the injection pipe 91. As a back
pressure of a discharged compression fluid presses the oil in the
oil storage chamber 90, the oil flows along the flow path in the
frame 10 through the injection path 19.
[0043] The flow path in communication with the injection path 19
may include first flow path 11 which may extend toward an inner
circumferential surface of the second shaft hole 17 in the frame
10. Accordingly, oil introduced through the injection path 19 may
flow through the first flow path 11 and be supplied to the second
bearing 87 installed on the inner circumferential surface of the
second shaft hole 17 to lubricate the second bearing 87.
[0044] A second flow path 12, which may be connected to a front end
portion or end of the first flow path 11 to communicate with the
first flow path 11 and has a groove shape, may extend vertically
along the inner circumferential surface of the second shaft hole
17. In addition, an upper end of the second flow path 12 may be
connected to a third flow path 13 to supply the oil to the first
shaft hole 16. The second flow path 12 in the groove shape may
serve as a flow path configured to guide a portion of the oil
supplied to the inner circumferential surface of the second shaft
hole 17 to lubricate the second bearing 87 and guide the remaining
oil to flow toward the first shaft hole 16. As described above, the
first flow path 11 and the third flow path 13 may communicate with
each other through the groove-shaped second flow path 12 formed in
the inner circumferential surface of the second shaft hole 17.
[0045] The third flow path 13, through which the second shaft hole
17 communicates with the first shaft hole 16, may include a first
horizontal path 131 which extends substantially horizontally
outward from the second shaft hole 17, a vertical path 132 which
extends vertically from an outer end portion or end of the first
horizontal path 131 and passes through a portion located at a side
surface of the suction chamber 20 in the frame 10, and a second
horizontal path 133 which extends substantially horizontally from
an upper end portion or end of the vertical path 132 toward an
inner circumferential surface of the first shaft hole 16.
[0046] As described above, the frame 10 may be assembled through a
method in which a plurality of portions are separately manufactured
and the separated portions are directly or indirectly fixed to each
other for the sake of convenience in manufacture and assembly. In
this embodiment, the frame 10 may be separately manufactured as two
portions, that is, a first portion in which the first shaft hole 16
is formed, and a second portion including a portion in which the
second shaft hole 17 is formed and a side portion of the suction
chamber 20, stacked, and assembled for the sake of convenience in
manufacture and assembly.
[0047] A portion into which the injection pipe 91 is inserted in
the second portion of the frame 10 may be formed by upwardly
drilling a lower surface of the frame 10. In addition, the first
flow path 11 and the first horizontal path 131 may be formed by
horizontally inwardly drilling an outer circumferential surface of
the second portion of the frame and closing and sealing an outer
end portion or end thereof by finishing bolts 99. The vertical path
132 may be formed by downwardly drilling an upper surface of the
second portion of the frame 10, upwardly drilling a lower surface
of the first portion of the first portion of the frame 10, and the
first portion and the second portion of the frame 10 may be stacked
in a state in which the first portion and the second portion are in
communication with each other. In addition, the second horizontal
path 133 may be formed by horizontally inwardly drilling an outer
circumferential surface of the first portion of the frame 10 and
closing and sealing an outer end portion or end thereof by the
finishing bolt 99.
[0048] According to such a flow path structure, the oil introduced
through the injection path 19 may be supplied to the second bearing
87 through the first flow path 11 and the second flow path 12 and
supplied to the first bearing 86 through the third flow path 13. In
addition, the oil supplied to the first bearing 86 may flow
downward along the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft
hole 16 due to gravity and falls around the boss 63 on the end
plate 61.
[0049] An annular groove 66 configured to accommodate the oil
flowing downward along the inner circumferential surface of the
first shaft hole 16 may be formed on a circumference of the boss
63, that is, the rear surface of the end plate 61 of the first
scroll 60 located under the inner circumferential surface of the
first shaft hole 16. In addition, an end plate path 68 may be
formed under the annular groove 66 in the end plate 61.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a portion of a longitudinal length
of the end plate path 68 may overlap the annular groove 66 when
viewed from above. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the end
plate path 68 and the annular groove 66 may be formed at different
heights when viewed from the side. Such an end plate path 68 may be
manufactured by inwardly drilling an outer surface of the end plate
and closing and sealing an outer end portion or end by the
finishing bolt 99.
[0051] An inlet hole 67, by which a lower portion of the annular
groove 66 and the end plate path 68 may communicate, may be formed
in a portion in which the end plate path 68 and the annular groove
66 overlap (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, oil in the annular groove 66
may be introduced into the end plate path 68 through the inlet hole
67.
[0052] One or more outlet holes 69 may be formed at predetermined
locations in the end plate path 68. The outlet holes 69 may have a
hole shape which passes from a lower portion of the end plate path
68 to a front surface of the end plate 61, that is, a bottom
surface in FIG. 1. As the suction chamber 20 into which the oil is
introduced through the outlet holes 69 has a pressure difference
from a back pressure, it is necessary to decompress a hydraulic
pressure of the oil before the oil is introduced into the suction
chamber 20. Accordingly, in this embodiment, decompression is
performed by inserting a decompression pin 681 having a diameter
less than the end plate path 68 into the end plate path 68 to
induce a loss of pressure in the oil. However, various different
decompression methods other than the above described method may be
applied to the co-rotating scroll compressor.
[0053] In addition, a length of the end plate path 68 should be
sufficient to perform adequate decompression. Accordingly, the end
plate path 68 may be formed in a direction deviated from the center
of the end plate 61 in this embodiment. This secures the sufficient
length of the end plate path when compared to the end plate path
being formed in a radial direction.
[0054] Oil decompressed and supplied to the wrap portions between
the two scrolls sufficiently lubricates a close contact portion
between the wraps 62, 72 and is supplied downward through an oil
groove (not shown), for example, formed in the end plate 71 of the
second scroll 70. In addition, the oil flowing downward through the
second scroll 70 is collected in the oil storage chamber 90 through
the second shaft hole 17, for example.
[0055] According to embodiments, the oil supplied to the first
shaft hole 16 may eventually flow downward through the second shaft
hole 17. That is, although the oil may not be directly supplied to
the second shaft hole 17 through the first flow path 11, the oil
may be supplied to the second shaft hole 17. Accordingly, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, a structure of a flow path may be further
simplified by omitting the first flow path 11, the second flow path
12, and the first horizontal path 131 and directly connecting the
vertical path 132 to the injection path 19 such that the vertical
path 132 communicates with the injection path 19. However, flow
path structures illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be more suitable
for easily supplying the oil to all locations which need to be
lubricated at an initial stage operation of the compressor.
[0056] The second flow path 12 and the first horizontal path 131
may be omitted from the flow path structure illustrated in FIG. 1,
the vertical path 132 and the injection path 19 may be directly
connected to communicate with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 5,
and the first flow path 11 may be separated from the injection path
19 to supply the oil to the second bearing 87 and quickly supply
the oil to all locations which need to be lubricated at an initial
stage of operation. According to such a flow path structure, as a
length of the flow path for supplying the oil to the first bearing
86 decreases, the oil may be more quickly supplied to the first
bearing 86 at the initial stage operation when compared to the flow
path structure illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0057] Hereinafter, an operation of the co-rotating scroll
compressor will be described.
[0058] First, when a rotational force is generated at the drive
rotary shaft 50 by the stator 41 and the rotor 42, the rotational
force of the drive rotary shaft 50 may be supplied to the first
scroll 60 by the rotational force transmitting portion 53 of the
first end portion 51 and the rotational force transmitted portion
67 formed in the boss 63. The first scroll 60 may also transmit the
rotational force to the second scroll 70 while receiving the
rotational force and rotating. A path through which the rotational
force of the drive scroll is transmitted to the driven scroll as
described above may have wraps of two scrolls in contact with each
other and a rotation prevention power transmission structure having
Oldham rings, or pins and rings (or holes) corresponding
thereto.
[0059] The first scroll 60 may rotate about a center of rotation of
the drive rotary shaft 50, and the second scroll 70 may rotate
about a center of rotation of the boss 73. Although the centers of
rotation of the two scrolls are not the same and are eccentrically
disposed, the two scrolls rotate without eccentricity relative to
the corresponding centers of rotation.
[0060] A fluid introduced into the suction chamber 20 through the
suction port 21 may be compressed while being surrounded by
compression chambers formed by the wraps of the two scrolls and
moved toward a central portion thereof. The compressed fluid may be
discharged from the center of the two scrolls to the discharge
chamber 30 through the discharge port 64 of the first scroll 60 and
the hollow portion 55 in communication with the discharge port
64.
[0061] Although the discharged fluid may be discharged to an
outside of the compressor through the discharge port 31, a back
pressure of the compressed fluid discharged from the suction
chamber 20 may be applied to other inner portions in the compressor
other than an inner portion of the suction chamber 20. Back
pressures and a pressure difference inside the suction chamber 20
may be maintained by the pressure seals 81 and 82 formed between
rear surfaces of end plates 61, 71 of the first scroll 60 and the
second scroll 70 and an inner wall of the suction chamber 20.
[0062] The back pressures press the rear surfaces of the end plates
61, 71 of the first scroll 60 and the second scroll 70.
Accordingly, the wraps 62, 72 of the first scroll 60 and the second
scroll 70 are pressed against each other or against surfaces of the
end plates 61, 71 in contact with the wraps 62, 72 to prevent
pressure leakage of the fluid compressed by the two scrolls 60,
70.
[0063] In addition, the back pressures press oil for lubrication.
Then, oil stored in the oil storage chamber 90 may be supplied to
the first bearing 86 and the second bearing 87 and supplied between
the end plates 61, 71 of the two scrolls 60, 70, for example, which
need to be lubricated, along the injection pipe 91 via a flow path
of the frame 10. The oil supplied to the first bearing may be
supplied between the end plates 61, 71 of the two scrolls 60, 70
through the first scroll 60, supplied to the second bearing 87
through the second scroll 70, for example, and collected in the oil
storage chamber 90. The path through which the oil is supplied to
the first bearing 86 and the second bearing 87 may be understood as
being the flow path structures in FIGS. 1,4, and 5.
[0064] According to embodiments, back pressures of a compressor may
be used as pressing sources configured to press two scrolls against
each other and as supply sources configured to supply oil. In
addition, a structure configured to press two scrolls against each
other and to supply oil using a back pressure of a compressor may
be simplified. Further, a structure of a compressor may be formed
to be more compact. Furthermore, a compressor may be more easily
manufactured and assembled.
[0065] Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a compressor
structure in which two scrolls of co-rotating scrolls are pressed
against each other in a simple structure, rotation supports of a
drive scroll and a driven scroll are lubricated in the simple
structure, and a close contact portion between the two scrolls is
lubricated. In addition, embodiments disclosed herein are directed
to a co-rotating scroll compressor having a structure in which a
close contact and lubrication structure of two scrolls are simply
formed.
[0066] Further, embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a
co-rotating scroll compressor having a structure which is simple to
be easily manufactured and assembled. Furthermore, embodiments
disclosed herein are directed to a co-rotating scroll compressor
formed with a simple structure in which a back pressure structure
configured to move oil for lubricating two scrolls serves as a
force which presses the two scrolls against each other.
[0067] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a co-rotating scroll
compressor that may include pressure seals between rear surfaces of
end plates of a drive scroll and a driven scroll and an inner wall
of a suction chamber such that two scrolls may be pressed in
directions to be moved toward each other by back pressures, and oil
may be supplied to rotation supports and close contact portions of
the two scrolls using the back pressures. More specifically,
according to embodiments disclosed herein, there is provided a
co-rotating scroll compressor that may include a frame including a
suction chamber provided with a suction port; a first scroll and a
second scroll having wraps disposed to face each other in the
suction chamber and rotary shafts which are eccentric relative to
each other, the first scroll and the second scroll rotating
relative to each other in a same direction, compressing a fluid
suctioned into the suction chamber, and discharging the compressed
fluid to an outside of the suction chamber, a first compression
seal formed between a rear surface of an end plate of the first
scroll and an inner wall of the suction chamber; and a second
pressure seal formed between a rear surface of an end plate of the
second scroll and the inner wall of the suction chamber. A pressure
of the fluid discharged by the first scroll and the second scroll
do not leak to a pressure of the fluid in the suction chamber due
to the pressure seal, and the discharge pressure may be applied to
the end plates to press the first scroll and the second scroll in
directions in which the first scroll and the second scroll are
moved toward each other. According to such a structure, back
pressures may be applied to both of the rear surfaces of the two
scrolls such that the two scrolls may be pressed in directions to
be moved toward each other.
[0068] A first shaft hole configured to accommodate the rotary
shaft of the first scroll may be formed in a portion of the frame
facing a center of the rear surface of the end plate of the first
scroll. A space of the rear surface of the end plate of the first
scroll to which the discharge pressure is applied may communicate
with the first shaft hole, and thus, the back pressure may be
applied to the rear surface of the end plate of the first scroll. A
second shaft hole configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of the
second scroll may be formed in a portion of the frame facing a
center of the rear surface of the end plate of the second scroll. A
space of the rear surface of the end plate of the second scroll to
which the discharge pressure is applied may communicate with the
second shaft hole, and thus, the back pressure may also be applied
to the rear surface of the end plate of the second scroll. As
described above, when the back pressures are applied to both of the
rear surfaces of the end plates of the two scrolls, a contact force
between the two scrolls may be maintained using a simpler
structure.
[0069] In addition, an oil storage chamber may be formed at a lower
end portion or end of the frame, the discharge pressure may be
applied to a surface of oil stored in the oil storage chamber, and
a front end portion or end of an injection path through which the
oil pressed by the discharge pressure may be injected, may be
submerged in the oil in the oil storage chamber. Accordingly, the
discharge pressure, that is, the back pressure, becomes a drive
force source which pushes the oil into the injection path. In
addition, as the oil storage chamber may be located at the lower
end portion of the frame, oil flowing downward due to gravity may
be easily collected.
[0070] When the second scroll is a driven scroll and the second
scroll is disposed to be closer to the lower end portion of the
frame than the first scroll, as a relatively free space around a
boss of the driven scroll may be utilized as the oil storage
chamber, the compressor may be more simply formed. In addition, as
the drive rotary shaft may be disposed on a side of the drive
scroll located above the driven scroll, a length of the flow path
through which the oil may be supplied from the oil storage chamber
toward the drive scroll may be reduced, and thus, the flow path may
be more simply formed.
[0071] When a discharge port is formed in a center of the end plate
of the first scroll and the discharge port communicates with a
hollow portion formed in a longitudinal direction of the rotary
shaft of the first scroll, as a path through which a fluid
compressed in and discharged from the suction chamber and a path of
the oil may be disposed at different positions, a structure of the
compressor may be further simplified. In addition, as contact
between the oil and the compressed fluid may be reduced, a ratio of
the oil mixed with the compressed fluid may also be further
decreased.
[0072] In addition, the flow path may include a flow path portion
configured to communicate with an inner circumferential surface of
a first shaft hole configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of
the first scroll, and a flow path portion configured to communicate
with an inner circumferential surface of a second shaft hole
configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of the second scroll. An
annular groove configured to accommodate oil flowing downward along
the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft hole may be
formed in the rear surface of the end plate of the first scroll
located under the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft
hole, an end plate path configured to communicate with an inlet
hole formed in a bottom surface of the annular groove may be formed
in the end plate, and an outlet hole configured to communicate with
the end plate path in a direction of a front surface of the end
plate facing the second scroll may be formed at a predetermined
position of a bottom surface of the end plate path. According to
such a structure, as the oil supplied to a rotary shaft support
portion or support of the first scroll may flow downward and be
supplied to a space between the end plates of the two scrolls, that
is, to a space in which the wraps are pressed against each other,
the oil may be supplied to various portions through a simple
structure.
[0073] According to embodiments disclosed herein, there is also
provided a co-rotating scroll compressor that may include a frame
including a suction chamber provided with a suction port; and a
first scroll and a second scroll including wraps disposed to face
each other in the suction chamber and rotary shafts which are
eccentric relative to each other, the first scroll and the second
scroll rotating relative to each other in a same direction,
compressing a fluid suctioned into the suction chamber, and
discharging the compressed fluid to an outside of the suction
chamber. An oil storage chamber may be formed at a lower end
portion or end of the frame, a discharge pressure may be applied to
a surface of oil stored in the oil storage chamber, and a front end
portion or end of an injection path may be in the oil in the oil
storage chamber such that the oil pressed by the discharge pressure
may be injected into a flow path formed in the frame. When the
injection path includes an injection pipe and the injection pipe is
connected to the frame to communicate with a front end portion or
end of the flow path formed in the frame, oil supply may be simply
assembled and formed.
[0074] When the second scroll is disposed to be closer to a lower
end portion or end of the frame than the first scroll and the flow
path includes a first flow path configured to communicate with an
inner circumferential surface of a second shaft hole of the frame
configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of the second scroll and
when the flow path includes a third flow path through which the
inner circumferential surface of the second shaft hole and an inner
circumferential surface of a first shaft hole of the frame
configured to accommodate the rotary shaft of the first scroll
communicate with each other, the oil may be supplied to all of the
rotary shaft support portions or supports of the two scrolls which
need to be lubricated. When the first flow path and the third flow
path communicate with each other through a groove-shaped second
flow path formed in the inner circumferential surface of the second
shaft hole, oil supplied to the first shaft hole through the second
shaft hole may not be excessively supplied to the second shaft hole
and may be sufficiently supplied toward the first shaft hole. When
the third flow path includes a first horizontal path formed in a
portion located under the suction chamber in the frame and having
one or a first end portion or end communicating with the inner
circumferential surface of the second shaft hole; a second
horizontal path formed in a portion located above the suction
chamber in the frame and having one or a first end portion or end
communicating with the inner circumferential surface of the first
shaft hole; and a vertical path which is formed in a portion
located next to the suction chamber in the frame, and in which the
other or a second end portion or end of the first horizontal path
and the other or a second end portion or end of the second
horizontal path communicate with each other through the vertical
path, an operation to form the flow path in the frame may be simply
performed.
[0075] The second scroll may be disposed to be closer to the lower
end portion of the frame than the first scroll, the flow path may
include a third flow path configured to communicate with an inner
circumferential surface of a first shaft hole configured to
accommodate the rotary shaft of the first scroll, an annular groove
configured to accommodate oil flowing downward along the inner
circumferential surface of the first shaft hole may be formed in a
rear surface of an end plate of the first scroll located under the
inner circumferential surface of the first shaft hole, an end plate
path configured to communicate with an inlet hole formed in a
bottom surface of the annular groove may be formed in the end
plate, and an outlet hole configured to communicate with the end
plate path in a direction of a front surface of the end plate
facing the second scroll may be formed at a predetermined position
of a bottom surface of the end plate path. The end plate path may
be formed in a direction deviated from a center of the end plate,
and when the end plate path is formed to be inclined, a length of
the end plate path may be sufficiently secured in comparison to
when the end plate path is formed in a radial direction relative to
a center of the end plate. Accordingly, when a decompression pin is
inserted into such an end plate path, a pressure of the oil may be
sufficiently decreased.
[0076] A drive rotary shaft configured to transmit a rotational
force to the first scroll may be disposed above the first scroll, a
discharge port may be formed in a center of the end plate of the
first scroll, and the discharge port may communicate with a hollow
portion formed in a longitudinal direction of the drive rotary
shaft of the first scroll.
[0077] The co-rotating scroll compressor may further include a
first compression seal formed between a rear surface of the end
plate of the first scroll and an inner wall of the suction chamber,
and a second pressure seal formed between a rear surface of the end
plate of the second scroll and the inner wall of the suction
chamber. The pressure of the fluid discharged by the first scroll
and the second scroll may not leak to the pressure of the fluid in
the suction chamber due to the pressure seals, and the discharge
pressure may be applied to the end plates to press the first scroll
and the second scroll in directions in which the first scroll and
the second scroll are moved toward each other.
[0078] As described above, while embodiments have been described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments are
not limited to the embodiments disclosed and drawings illustrated
in the present specification, and it should be clear to those
skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within a
technical sprit. In addition, although effects according to the
structure of the embodiments have not been clearly described,
predictable effects according to the corresponding structure should
also have been naturally recognized.
[0079] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The
appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further,
when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that
it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones
of the embodiments.
[0080] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *